Optimisation of FDG activity in PET imaging

  • Research type

    Research Study

  • Full title

    Patient specific optimisation of administered activity and acquisition times for F-18 FDG PET imaging

  • IRAS ID

    147409

  • Contact name

    Caspar Wickham

  • Contact email

    caspar.wickham@nhs.net

  • Sponsor organisation

    Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust

  • Research summary

    A PET/CT scan is used to investigate many diseases, particularly cancer. It requires the injection of a radioactive glucose analogue, F-18 FDG which results in radiation exposure to the patient. We hypothesise that it is possible to use reduced activites (similar to dose) of FDG, without affecting image quality, thus reducing patients' radiation exposure. We wish to investigate: 1. optimum measures of image quality 2. establish a suitable target for this measure and 3. use this target to determine the minimum activity and scan times that each individual patient needs (depending on factors such as height, weight and percentage of body fat) In order to do this we intend to use the PET/CT images obtained from patients who require PET/CT as part of their standard clinical care. After using standard FDG activities, standard processing and reporting of the images, the images will be re-processed and analysed to compare different measures of image quality and to simulate different administered activities and scan times. Measures of scan quality will be compared to the visual assessment of experienced nuclear medicine physicians. In addition to standard care, patients participating in the study will have their body bioimpedence measured on a standard bioimpedence meter. There will be no other changes or additions to their care. Their scans will also be (as described above) retrospectively re-analysed.

  • REC name

    London - Hampstead Research Ethics Committee

  • REC reference

    14/LO/1027

  • Date of REC Opinion

    26 Jun 2014

  • REC opinion

    Further Information Favourable Opinion